Power Sector Carbon Emissions in the Northwest

At the Council's July meeting, the Pacific Northwest Utilities Conference Committee presented background information on carbon emissions and the Northwest power sector. Some key points included: transportation is the largest contributor of carbon in the region; our level of carbon emissions from power production is below the national average; annual emissions fluctuate widely based on the water supply; there can be big differences in emissions depending on a utility's resource portfolio; the region has been actively reducing its carbon footprint through energy efficiency, renewable resource development, and retiring coal plants; and the value of renewable resources may decrease as more are developed.

Additional background information:

EPA's New Rule to Cut Carbon

Greenhouse Gas Symposium

Carbon Emissions Primer, Status, and Outlook

EPA's Social Cost of Carbon